ROOKIE driver Grant Stansfield is drawing knowledge from sprintcar royalty to fast-track his progress.
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The 29-year-old – who scored his maiden SRA Series triumph on Saturday – has taken guidance from Warrnambool-based star James McFadden as he chases success in his first season.
“I’ve been pretty lucky through all of my mates – James’ advice has been really valuable,” Stansfield said.
“He’ll talk to you through anything – engine setups, all of that sort of stuff – as well as racing.
“I think that’s definitely short-tracked my progress.”
While Stansfield – a formula 500 and super rod graduate – has experience on clay, his first sprintcar season has exceeded all expectations.
The Warrnambool driver was intially focused on “making two or three A-mains”.
His SRA Series victory at Hamilton’s Western Speedway was a dream come true.
“I've probably had the best of both worlds – I’ve raced the super rod, which has the V8 engine, and I’ve had experience with the wing on the formula 500,” Stansfield said.
“If you mix the two together, you basically get a sprintcar.
“We’ve had a decent year – we finished fourth in Wangaratta and to get top five (in an A-main) exceeded my expectations but to win had me lost for words.”
Stansfield said the quality of sprintcar racing kept him on his toes.
“There are no slouches – these are guys I’ve watched for the last 10 or 15 years on the hill (at Premier Speedway),” he said. “To beat a few, I’m surprised."